Research news

As fuel prices and living costs rise, Loughborough produces official calculations for measuring fuel poverty in remote areas

Calculations of how much more it costs to live in remote areas of Scotland have been published by the Scottish Government, using Loughborough’s research on the minimum cost of living.
Illustration of a woman walking her dog

The impact of loneliness on brain health and why small social interactions – such as saying hi to others on your dog walk – can have a positive effect

We all know that exercising, eating clean, remaining mentally active, and sleeping well can contribute towards a healthy brain, but one thing we may overlook is the importance of social interaction.

two people playing tennis

LTA partners with Loughborough for Parents in Sport Week

The LTA has partnered with Loughborough University to support the delivery of a series of virtual events for the upcoming Parents in Sport Week (4 – 10 October 2021).

3D image of a bone

Female participants needed for study exploring the effect of calorie restriction on bone and cardiovascular health

Females, aged 18-35, are asked to take part in a Loughborough University study looking at the effects of three days of caloric restriction on markers of bone and cardiovascular health.

Small change approach to diet and physical activity could help in fight against obesity, new study finds

Making small changes to your daily calorie intake and/or physical activity levels to manage your weight may help to prevent weight gain, a new Loughborough University study has found.

Loughborough to lead project aimed at enabling independent AI systems to learn from each other

A new international project seeks to create advanced AI programmes that will enable machines to learn progressively over a lifetime and share those experiences with each other.
Woman tying trainers with tech symbols around her

New study to develop smart textiles powered by body movement for remote health monitoring

The global population recently reached 7.8 billion, among which almost 15% suffer from disabilities mainly caused by ageing and chronic diseases.

Atomic concept

Ultrasound at the nanometre scale reveals the nature of force

Researchers have developed a new method to measure force and atomic bonds at the nanoscale that reveals that the speed of sound depends on the structure it is travelling through.
Animation of a girl surrounded by images from social media.

New animation aims to help people with eating disorders safely navigate social media

Researchers from Loughborough University have teamed up with UK charity Beat to create an animated video that explores how social media affects people with an eating disorder.

Human hand and robot hand touching

Expanding human-robot collaboration in manufacturing: PhD student trains AI to detect human intention

Machines and robots undoubtedly make life easier. They carry out jobs with precision and speed, and, unlike humans, they do not require breaks as they are never tired.

Image of REACT by Joe Bentley.

Loughborough graduate wins James Dyson Award after designing life-saving device that rapidly stops bleeding from knife wounds

Recent Loughborough University graduate Joseph Bentley has been announced as the 2021 UK national James Dyson Award winner.
Shifa Technologies.

Record nominations for University research and enterprise in LeicestershireLive Innovation Awards

Loughborough University has a record 13 nominations across eight categories in the 2021 LeicestershireLive Innovation Awards, representing pioneering engineering research and dynamic start-ups which have been launched on LUSEP, the University’s science and enterprise park.
Sun rising over a solar panel farm

Missing piece in solar panel puzzle solved by Loughborough scientists – and it could lead to more efficient technology

Silicon-based solar modules dominate the current market. However, they are expensive and have a high carbon footprint.

New research centre to tackle preventable diseases and help improve nation’s health

A new research centre which will look at ways to reduce preventable diseases, such as obesity, diabetes and several types of cancer, has been launched by Loughborough University.
Woman sat in front of a fan

Urgent planning on heat and health needed to face climate change trajectory

An international team of leading experts, including academics from Loughborough University, caution that projections of a hotter future require urgent planning and more investment in research to reduce the risks of heat-related disease and death.

WeThe15: Loughborough contracted to provide research analysis for new global human rights movement launched to represent persons with disabilities

In a historic first, Loughborough is playing a part in the launch of WeThe 15, which aspires to be the biggest ever human rights movement to represent the world’s 1.2 billion persons with disabilities.
Dr Ishara Dharmasena

Loughborough academic appointed Research Fellow by the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng)

Dr Ishara Dharmasena has been selected as a Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellow after a competitive application process.
female African athlete sprints on track

Record 49 territories for free-to-air African broadcast coverage of Paralympic Games

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has confirmed that it will provide free-to-air coverage of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games to 49 Sub-Saharan African territories as part of the AT2030 programme’s Para Sport Against Stigma project, which is funded by UK Aid. This is an effort to elevate Para sport and ensure human rights for people with disabilities around the world. Globally, there are 1.2 billion people with disabilities who are often unable to reach their full potential. Central to this is disability stigma, which limits full participation in society from employment and education to sport.

a tennis ball

Turkish Tennis Federation partners with Loughborough University in extending international scale-out of tennis parent programme

The Turkish Tennis Federation (TTF) has joined forces with Loughborough University, The International Tennis Federation (ITF - the world governing body for tennis), and the LTA (the national governing body for tennis in Great Britain) to deliver a national programme of parent education and support for parents of young tennis hopefuls in their nation.

Sunlight falling through a tree

New £2.3m study to evaluate the social and cultural values of urban trees

A climate emergency has been declared by 74% of UK local authorities and many are responding to the issue by increasing their tree planting targets, as this will help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Illustration of women's faces in different colours

New project to record, curate and archive 50 years’ worth of feminist stories and memorabilia to secure the legacy of an extraordinary movement

Loughborough University and the Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Dún Laoghaire, are working together to record, curate, and archive 50 years’ worth of oral histories and digitised records of feminist artists in Ireland and the UK.
Marsha Meskimmon

Professor Marsha Meskimmon reappointed as Director of the Institute of Advanced Studies (IAS)

Initially appointed in August 2018, Professor Marsha Meskimmon will remain in her role as Director of the Institute of Advanced Studies (IAS) for a second 3-year term.

Loughborough receives UKRI funding to develop the next generation of batteries

Loughborough University, as part of a consortium led by Lucideon, and partner KWSP, has received funding from UKRI's Faraday battery challenge fund to assess two technologies to manufacture components for solid-state batteries.

World-first slope simulator will lead to safer infrastructure

Loughborough University is to create the world’s first large-scale National Engineered Slope Simulator, thanks to a £500,000 grant from the Wolfson Foundation.
an image of a thermometer

Tokyo conditions could lead to better sprint times – Loughborough University heat expert (VIDEO)

A heat expert from Loughborough University believes that the gruelling conditions at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games could prove favourable for some sprint and/or power athletes.